Private Jet Charter at Shoreham (EGKA/ESH)

Brighton's Backdoor Airfield — Sussex Coast General Aviation on the English Channel

Shoreham Airport sits on the West Sussex coastal plain between Brighton and Worthing, roughly 8 km west of Brighton city centre. One of the oldest licensed aerodromes in the United Kingdom — the terminal building dates to 1936 and is a Grade I listed Art Deco structure — Shoreham operates as a general aviation field serving light and business aviation traffic into the Brighton and Hove corridor. For operators seeking an alternative to the commercial pressure of London Luton or the slot congestion of Farnborough, Shoreham offers direct access to the Sussex coast without transiting the London TMA at lower levels.

Operational Profile

The primary runway at Shoreham (02/20) is an asphalt strip of approximately 1,054 metres, with a secondary grass strip also available. The 2,200m figure in some databases does not reflect current operational reality at EGKA — the usable paved runway length limits operations firmly to the light jet category: Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+, and Pilatus PC-12 are viable; midsize and above are not. Operators should verify NOTAM status and PPR requirements before scheduling, as Shoreham has historically operated under restricted hours, with no confirmed H24 clearance — early morning and evening movements require advance coordination with the tower. The airfield's 7 ft elevation above sea level means density altitude is a non-issue for performance planning under any standard ISA condition.

Transfers & Connections

Brighton city centre is approximately 15 minutes by road via the A259 coastal road. The Glyndebourne Opera House near Lewes is around 25 minutes east. Goodwood Estate and the Goodwood Motor Circuit are 35 minutes to the west via the A27 — making Shoreham a practical routing option during the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Members' Meeting. For onward connections to London, the A23/M23 corridor delivers passengers to central London in approximately 75–90 minutes depending on traffic. Train services from Shoreham-by-Sea station reach London Bridge in under an hour, providing a viable alternative when road conditions are poor. Operators positioning into the United Kingdom for Sussex-specific engagements — property, racing, coastal leisure — will find Shoreham logistically sound for lighter aircraft, provided ground transfer needs are confirmed in advance.

Handling & Customs

Shoreham's handling infrastructure is general aviation standard rather than dedicated FBO. No major branded FBO operator (Signature, Jet Aviation, Harrods Aviation) is based at EGKA. Ground handling is provided by the airport's own operations team. Customs availability at Shoreham is by prior arrangement only — it is not a designated Port of Entry operating on a walk-up basis, and international arrivals must pre-notify UKBF with adequate lead time. Operators arriving from non-domestic sectors should treat customs as PARTIAL: available but not guaranteed without coordination. For missions requiring frictionless international clearance, Brighton City Airport is the local designation, but hub alternatives with full customs infrastructure may be preferable depending on aircraft type and itinerary. Catering and crew transport are available on request through local suppliers.